MEXICO

MEXICOYucatán PeninsulaAcademy of Science & EntrepreneurshipJune 11-19, 2014

Experience the fascinating wildlife and the wealth of ancient Maya civilizations on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Snorkel the warm waters of the Caribbean to encounter sea turtles and the mighty whale shark, the world’s largest fish. On land, discover playful monkeys and colorful birds, zip-line through the jungle, and learn the story of the Mayans. Take part in fun, informal Spanish lessons to get a grasp of the local language.

• Enjoy the exhilarating opportunity to swim with whale sharks — though massive, they are docile and safe to swim alongside.

• Get an up-close view of spider monkeys, howler monkeys and other Yucatán wildlife at a protected nature reserve.

• Encounter sea turtles while snorkeling among coral reef and participate in a nocturnal turtle nesting walk.

• Swim in the spring-fed waters of Cenote Ik Kil, a limestone sinkhole.

• Observe sea birds and flocks of colorful flamingos at Isla Pajaros (Bird Island).

• Explore the pyramids and Great Ball Court in the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá.

• Receive fun, informal Spanish lessons.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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Photo by Israel Gonzalez

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL: Contact Ms. Burke at aburke@mccsc.edu or 330-2480 ext. 50140

PROGRAM PRICING$3,155 (based on a minimum of 6 participants)$2,635 (based on a group of 12 participants)Cost does not include round-trip international airfare, estimated at $650 from Indianapolis, IN.

Rates are based double, triple/quad occupancy rooms. For a single room throughout the trip, add $550. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is due to reserve your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable until March 8, 2014 excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Non-refundable final payments are due no later than March 8, 2014. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174 or visit travelinsured.com. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.

THE FINE PRINT

treated as sacred sites as they were believed to be the gateways to the afterlife. Cenote Ik Kil is located in the heart of the Chichén Itzá archeological site, near the ceremonial centers. Its rock walls encircle a pool of transparent blue waters amidst lush tropical vegetation. Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the cenote, then return to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to rest or enjoy the hotel amenities. Participate in an informal pre-dinner Spanish lesson. Tonight watch Chichén Itzá’s temples come to life with bright colors and music during a spectacular light and sound show. Overnight at Hotel Mayaland. (BLD)

JUNE 16 - AKUMAL After breakfast, depart for Akumal Bay via Punta Laguna. Walking field trip in the Punta Laguna Spider Monkey Reserve and visit a local Maya village. Although this small nature sanctuary is known for protecting hundreds of black-handed spider monkeys and a lesser number of howler monkeys, it also provides a safe haven for all kinds of native wildlife and flora. An exploration of the forest trails reveal tall ceiba trees, zacate trees, fruiting ramón trees (a squirrel monkey favorite) and colorful epiphytic bromeliads. Ancient stone mounds and stone dwellings blend into the forest and offer interesting clues about the people who once inhabited the area. The small village at Punta Laguna provides a good opportunity to examine the life and customs of modern day Maya. Lunch at a local restaurant en route. Arrive in Akumal and check in at the hotel. Ride bicycles to nearby Yal Ku Cenote and Bay (approximately ¼ mile) for snorkeling and water sports. The bus will be available for participants who do not want to ride. Return to the hotel by bus and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Akumal Beach Resort. (BLD)

JUNE 17 - AKUMAL Walk to the marina to get your snorkeling gear. After receiving a brief orientation on safety procedures and the use of the equipment, enjoy the morning snorkeling at the nearby reef. While snorkeling, you will possibly encounter sea turtles (please make sure to admire these beautiful creatures at a respectful distance of about 6.5 feet). The CEA likes to remind swimmers to avoid snorkeling over the turtles since they need to come up to the surface to breathe and to avoid approaching turtles when they are feeding. Return to the hotel for lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure. Later join your group leader and fellow group members for an informal Spanish lesson. This evening travel to the Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) for a lecture on coral reefs and sea turtles. The center is a non-profit marine research and conservation organization that monitors environmental impact of urban development in the Mexican Caribbean. The lecture will be followed by a nighttime turtle nesting walk along the beach. In preparation for the beach walk, the CEA suggests wearing sneakers or sturdy walking shoes (no sandals), refraining from wearing perfume/cologne or insect repellent (good idea to wear long sleeves and pants), and bringing a sport water bottle and a plastic bag to collect trash on the beach. Walks can cover up to three miles. Overnight at Akumal Beach Resort. (BLD)

JUNE 18 - CANCÚN Morning transfer to Selvática Eco Park for a jungle zip line, cenote zip line, and sky bridge walk or off-road vehicle course adventure. Lunch at Selvática Eco Park. This afternoon depart for Cancún. Enjoy some free time to relax before a farewell dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at Courtyard Marriott. (BLD)

JUNE 19 - FAREWELL! Depart for home. (B)

ITINERARYJUNE 11 - CANCÚNArrival from Indianapolis. Orientation and dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Courtyard Marriott. (D)

JUNE 12 - HOLBOX ISLAND After orientation at the hotel, board a bus to Chiquila (2.5 hours). Arrive at Chiquila and take a 20 minute ferry ride to Holbox Island. Holbox Island is located off the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, within the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve. Just 7.44 miles long and less than a mile wide, this diminutive tropical paradise is home to a peaceful fishing community and is visited by tourists who come to view whale sharks. Residents and tourists get around the island on golf carts or mopeds. Streets are made of lime rock and remain unpaved. Transfer to the hotel in golf cart taxis. Check in at the hotel followed by snorkeling orientation at hotel swimming pool. Time at leisure to enjoy the beach and the hotel pools. Board golf carts for a fun city orientation through Holbox’s lime rock roads. Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel for an informal Spanish lesson. Overnight at Hotel Villa Delfines. (BLD)

JUNE 13 - HOLBOX ISLAND After breakfast, transfer to the dock and board a boat to the snorkeling site (1-2 hours ride depending on location of the whale sharks). Swimming with whale sharks is an activity that is strictly regulated by local park authorities. Only two people are allowed in the water with the guide at any time. Participants take turns in the water while the remainder of the group can observe the passing whale sharks and take photographs from the comfort of the boat. Cameras are not allowed in the water. Participants are allowed up to three swimming sessions lasting 10 minutes each. Snacks and drinks are provided on board the boat. Return to Holbox Island for lunch at the hotel, then enjoy some time at leisure. Visit the beach, lounge by the pool, or just relax. Join your group leader for another informal Spanish lesson. Before dinner, learn about local music with Victor Vasquez, a local musician and instrument maker. Barbecue dinner on hotel patio. Overnight at Hotel Villa Delfines. (BLD)

JUNE 14 - CHICHÉN ITZÁ Take a boat back to Chiquilla via Isla Pajaros. At Isla Pajaros (Bird Island), take a walking field trip to a local lookout point in search of sea birds. Look for vibrantly colored flamingos that flock to this location from April to October. Continue your boat transfer to Chiquilla. Disembark in Chiquilla and transfer to Chichén Itzá via Valladolid. Lunch at a restaurant in Valladolid. After lunch, acquaint yourself with Valladolid during a city orientation. Valladolid is an attractive 16th century town located in the eastern side of the Yucatán state, within 29 miles of Chichén Itzá. As is commonly the case with colonial cities in the peninsula, Valladolid rose from the ashes of a destroyed Maya center. Ancient structures were demolished in order to provide stones and other building materials for the Spanish settlement. Ironically, many colonial buildings were destroyed or damaged during the lengthy Yucatecan Caste War (1847-1901) and in later years during Indian uprisings. Valladolid is home to one of the oldest church buildings in the region, the Church of San Bernardino de Siena and adjoining convent. Continue to nearby Chichén Itzá and check in to hotel. Time at leisure to cool off in the hotel’s pool or explore the property’s attractive gardens for a chance to see local flora and bird life, and marvel at views of Chichén Itzá’s ancient temples. Gather around the kitchen table for a lesson in tortilla making. Push up your sleeves and get your hands dirty as you learn how locals make this important Mexican staple. Piñata party later this afternoon. Finish the day with an informal Spanish lesson. Overnight at Hotel Mayaland. (BLD)

JUNE 15 - CHICHÉN ITZÁ Walking field trip of the Chichén Itzá archaeological complex and site lecture this morning. Chichén Itzá is considered the greatest Maya site on the Yucatán Peninsula and is certainly the most popular stop along today’s Ruta Maya. The archaeological site centers upon two unusually large cenotes, one that provided water for the city and the other a famous sacred cenote. Its history is the Yucatán’s Trojan War, as the ruler of Chichén Itzá stole the bride of one of the lords of Izamal who then took vengeance and sacked Chichén. The consolidation of Chichén Itzá as a political center meant the creation of a complicated political structure. This leadership allowed it to achieve magnificent architecture and made it one of the largest cities in the Maya area. Return to the hotel for a change of clothes before departing for Cenote Ik Kil. Feast your eyes on the beauty of Cenote Ik Kil before taking a refreshing dip in the cool spring-fed waters. Cenotes are water filled limestone sinkholes found in the Yucatán and some Caribbean sites. Cenotes were an important source of freshwater for the Maya living in the Yucatán Peninsula and were